Happy New Year everyone. SCDC pledges £900,000 to local organisations through 3-year Service Support Grant funding SCDC has just committed Service Support Grant funding of £300,000 a year to local groups to underpin the delivery of services to support people with their mental health, independent living, advice services, and to help residents through the cost-of-living crisis. I’m delighted to report that Over Day Centre, for the first time, is one of the recipients of this funding.  SCDC’s Service Support Grant funding has almost doubled compared to the previous budget, made possible by prudent management of the council’s finances and a recognition of the acute need for these services. Grant recipients…

Over Gardening Club’s January meeting will be held in the main hall at Over Community Centre at 7.30pm.  This month we have a talk by Barry Gayton entitled “Bulbs, Corms & Tubers”. We are a friendly group of gardeners and plant lovers who have regular meetings with a speaker and raffle and occasional plant sales.  Meetings are held on the 3rd Wednesday of each month; from September to May we meet at Over Community Centre where we usually have a guest speaker talking on various aspects of gardening, in June we often arrange a visit to a local garden and in July we hold a social evening.  Membership runs annually…

Local Highway Improvement (LHI) Applications Over Parish Council is keen to support the zebra crossing near the primary school, a vital step toward improving safety for our children and community. How you can help:• Sign a petition• Contribute financially• Record a short video in support• Share your own ideas Together, we can make this project a reality. Please note: LHI allows only one application per Parish Council, so the Council must decide which project to prioritise and whether community funding (including Over Parish Council’s contribution) can meet the 10% minimum requirement for any LHI application. I will fully support whichever decision the Parish Council makes. Longstanton Bridge – Safer Access…

Despite a mild evening, only 22 turned out for the AGM because of competing activities, particularly in Over.  After the formal proceedings two members gave short presentations. Firstly, Carole Pook from Swavesey gave a talk explaining the link with Cambridge of the freed slave Olaudah Equiano.  A bridge over the River Cam in Chesterton was named Equiano bridge in 2022. Olaudah Equiano, was born in Africa in about 1745.  He became a prominent abolitionist and writer in Britain.  He died in London on March 31 1797, aged 52.  His marriage in Soham in 1792 to Susannah Cullen who came from Fordham connected him to Cambridgeshire.  They lived in Soham and…

Come and join us for some Christmas cheer on Friday 12 December at All Saint’s church, Longstanton at 7pm.  We’re hosting a FREE concert full of festive favourites, with mulled wine and mince pies to follow.  We very much look forward to welcoming you there! Donations towards the work of Arthur Rank Hospice Charity would be very welcome.

December 22 from 1700. See poster for details